U.S. patent number 9,187,291 [Application Number 13/891,836] was granted by the patent office on 2015-11-17 for cord organizer for portable electronic devices.
The grantee listed for this patent is Clark J. Alexandre. Invention is credited to Clark J. Alexandre.
United States Patent |
9,187,291 |
Alexandre |
November 17, 2015 |
Cord organizer for portable electronic devices
Abstract
A device, and related method, for storing and organizing a power
supply cord for portable electronic devices, wherein the device
includes an outer shell 1 having a first entry hole 4; and an inner
spool 2 having at least two circular flanges 6 connected in the
middle by a barrel 8; a track 10 between the flanges; an arbor 7 on
the top side and bottom side of the barrel; a second entry hole 5
within the device; and at least one tread 3 on the inner portion of
the outer shell, wherein the spool fits snuggly into the outer
shell to allow the spool to rotate therein.
Inventors: |
Alexandre; Clark J. (Piermont,
NY) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Alexandre; Clark J. |
Piermont |
NY |
US |
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Family
ID: |
49620827 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/891,836 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130313352 A1 |
Nov 28, 2013 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61648656 |
May 18, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H
75/406 (20130101); B65H 75/4471 (20130101); B65H
75/34 (20130101); B65H 75/28 (20130101); B65H
75/146 (20130101); B65H 2701/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65H
75/34 (20060101); B65H 75/14 (20060101); B65H
75/44 (20060101); B65H 75/40 (20060101); B65H
75/28 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;242/388.1-388.2,388.6,405.1,588.3,118.4,579,580,587,587.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kim; Sang
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Onofrio Law Onofrio, Esq.; Dara
L.
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application
No. 61/648,656 filed May 18, 2012, which is incorporated herein in
its entirety by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device that stores and organizes a power supply cord for
portable electronic devices comprising two detachable components:
the first component is an outer shell (1) having a first entry hole
(4), and with at least one tread (3) on an inner portion of said
shell; and the second component is an inner spool (2) having at
least two circular flanges (6) connected in the middle by a barrel
(8), wherein said barrel has a top side and a bottom side; said
inner spool includes a track (10) between said flanges; and an
arbor (7) on the top side and bottom side of said barrel; a second
entry hole (5) within said second component of the device wherein
said second component fits snugly within said first component tread
(3) to allow said inner spool to rotate therein.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of
said arbor includes openings for a plug of the power supply cord to
rest.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second entry hole
(5) is in the middle of said barrel between said top side and said
bottom side.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said components are
materials selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber,
wood and metal.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said circular flange
has a diameter in the range of 1.5 to 5.0 inches.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said circular flange
has a thickness in the range of 0.03 to 0.20 inches.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said barrel has a width
in the range of 0.30 to 0.80 inches.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outer shell has a
diameter slightly larger than said circular flange.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of said
outer shell is between 0.04 to 0.08 inches larger than said
circular flange.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inner spool has
three circular flanges, a right flange, a left flange and a center
flange.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said second entry
hole (5) is a notch on said middle flange.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the track (10) width
between the two flanges is in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 inches.
13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the track (10) width
between the right, left and center flanges is in the range of 0.15
to 0.25 inches.
14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an
additional treads (3).
15. A method for storing and organizing a power supply cord for
portable electronic devices comprising the steps of: providing a
device comprised of two detachable components, the first component
is an that has an outer shell (1) having a first entry hole (4);
and the second component is an inner spool (2) having at least two
circular flanges (6) connected in the middle by a barrel (8),
wherein said barrel has a top side and a bottom side; said inner
spool includes a track (10) between said flanges; and an arbor (7)
on the top side and bottom side of said barrel; a second entry hole
(5) within said second component of the device; wherein said second
component fits snuggly into said first component to allow said
inner spool to rotate therein; aligning said first entry hole 4 of
said first component with said second entry hole (5) of said second
component; looping the power cord and inserting the loop into both
said holes; holding said outer shell in place; and winding said
inner spool to retract said power supply cord into the track (10)
of the device and to desired length.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said arbor has
openings for a plug of the power supply cord and comprising the
further step of plugging the power supply cord plug into said
openings.
17. The method according to claim 15, comprising the further step
of unwinding the power cord by holding said outer shell in place
and pulling the cord together to unwind to desired length or to
remove completely.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said inner spool has
three circular flanges, a right flange, a left flange and a center
flange which creates two tracks (10) and wherein the second entry
hole (5) is on the center flange; comprising the further step of
winding said inner spool to retract such that each loop of said
power supply cord retracts separately into each of the two
tracks.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein said second entry
hole (5) is in the middle of said barrel between said top side and
said bottom side.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said second component
is easily snapped into said first component and is easily detached.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cord organizer. In particular
the invention relates to device that stores and organizes power
supply cords for portable electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The National Electric Code (NEC) provides a classification system
for power supplies. The following are relevant to the present
invention.
Class 2. A Class 2 circuit is the portion of the wiring system
between the load side of a Class 2 power source and the connected
equipment.
Class II (with Roman numerals). A Class II circuit refers to power
supplies with either a double or reinforced insulation barrier
between the input and the output.
Due to its power limitations, a Class 2 or Class II circuit
considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint and provides
acceptable protection from electric shock. Most cell phone and
mobile device chargers and laptop power supplies are Class II.
Class 1. A Class 1 circuit is connected to a power limited source
but offers no protection from fire or electric shock. A Class 2
circuit offers the highest degree of protection.
Users of portable electronic typically struggle with cord
management of the power supply cord. The cords are generally over 2
feet long and typically get tangled up with other cords or worse
get snagged causing the device being charged to fall to the floor.
The invention provides a solution to this common problem by
providing a device that securely holds Class 2 and Class II, power
supply cords for portable electronic devices such as mobile phones,
mp3 players, hand held games, e-readers, tablets and other similar
devices.
The prior art has described various cord holding devices.
Representative of the prior art are the following patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,152 to Maldonado discloses a cord holder having
an outer rotatable housing with an inner spool that rotates within
a stationary hollow cord storage spool support. The spool fits into
the housing in a telescopic manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,708 to Matsubara discloses a cord winder that
includes a bottomed cylindrical shape and rotatable second
component held in place therein. The rotatable component includes
ribs formed on an outer surface of the cylindrical stud in a bobbin
like structure. The device also includes a curved toothed braking
structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,433 B1 to Kovacik et al. discloses a manually
wound cord storage apparatus having a central hub, a handle and at
least two feet attached to a planar body. The spool for storing an
electrical cord is rotatably mounted on the central hub. A winding
knob is mounted on the spool to assist in rotation of the spool
around the central hub. The feet permit the apparatus to be used
and stored in an upright position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,218 B2 to Buyce et al. discloses a cable
management spool for storing a length of cable including a spool
and rigid members.
While spools are used in theses references, the prior art does not
teach or suggest the invention device which includes two main
parts, an outer shell and a rotatable spool that snaps snuggly into
the inner part of the shell. The rotatable spool has one or two
tracks which assist in securing the spool to the shell but also
permits the spool to freely spin inside the shell. The tracks are
located at either the inner top or bottom of the shell. The shell
has a first entry hole big enough so that the power supply cord can
fit thru.
To use the invention device, the portable power supply cord is
lopped into the first entry hold of the outer shell leaving both
ends of the cord free. The rotatable spool includes two or three
flange of equal size. The spool has a centrally located second
entry hole. The power supply cord after being looped into the shell
is then looped into the second entry hole of the spool, still
leaving both ends of the cord free. No hook or locking mechanism is
necessary to hold the cord in place. Once the cord is looped onto
the spool it is then snapped into the track of the shell. The
rotatable spool is then manually wound to retract the cord into the
invention device. When the cord is wound the power supply end of
the cord is then inserted into the arbor of the spool. To retrieve
the cord, all the user has to do is detach the power supply end
from the arbor hole of the spool and pull out both ends of the cord
to the desired length.
An advantage of the invention is in the provision of a solution to
neatly and compactly store power cords for portable electronic
devices.
Another advantage of the invention is in the provision of a
solution to neatly and compactly store the power supply end for
portable electronic devices.
Another object of the invention is to provide a compact device to
improve ease of storage and use of power supply cords for portable
electronic devices.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide convenient
storage of power supply cords while allowing variable lengths to be
deployed as desired.
Another object of the invention is in the provision of a compact
device and related manual method to store and use power supply
cords without the use of springs or any other mechanical elements,
other than the rotatable spool.
Still another object of the invention is in the provision of a
device that is not spring loaded, thus it does not have any
mechanism that will break down.
Another object of the invention is in that the device can be used
with the existing power supply that comes with electronic
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, these purposes, as well as others which
will be apparent, are achieved generally by providing a device that
stores and organizes a power supply cord for portable electronic
devices.
The device comprises an outer shell 1 having a first entry hole 4;
and an inner spool 2 having at least two circular flanges 6
connected in the middle by a barrel 8; a track 10 between the
flanges; an arbor 7 on the top side and bottom side of the barrel;
a second entry hole 5 within the device; and at least one tread 3
on the inner portion of said outer shell, wherein the spool fits
snuggly into the outer shell to allow the spool to rotate
therein.
At least one side of the arbor includes openings for the plug of
the power supply cord to rest. In alternate embodiments, both sides
of the arbor includes openings for the plug of the power supply
cord to rest.
In the embodiment where there are two circular flanges the second
entry hole 5 is on said barrel itself.
The components are made from materials selected from the group
consisting of plastic, rubber, wood and metal.
The circular flanges in the invention preferably have a diameter in
the range of 1.5 to 5.0 inches and a thickness in the range of 0.03
to 0.20 inches.
The barrel preferably has a width in the range of 0.30 to 0.80
inches.
The outer shell has a diameter slightly larger than the circular
flange. Preferably the diameter of the outer shell is between 0.04
to 0.08 inches larger than the circular flange.
In a preferred embodiment the inner spool has three circular
flanges, a right flange, a left flange and a center flange. In this
embodiment the second entry hole 5 is a notch on the center flange.
Both embodiments function in a similar manner. However, the three
flange embodiment creates two tracks 10 wherein the power cord is
stored in these two tracks as opposed to the one track in the two
flange embodiment.
The track 10 width between the two flanges is in the range of 0.2
to 0.6 inches. In the three flange embodiment the track 10 width
between the right, left and middle flanges is in the range of 0.15
to 0.25 inches.
The device may also include additional treads 3 to further secure
the outer shell together with the inner spool.
The invention also includes a method for storing and organizing a
power supply cord for portable electronic devices. The method
includes the steps of providing a device that has an outer shell 1
having a first entry hole 4; and an inner spool 2 having at least
two circular flanges 6 connected in the middle by a barrel 8; a
track 10 between the flanges; an arbor 7 on the top side and bottom
side of the barrel; a second entry hole 5 within the device; and at
least one tread 3 on the inner portion of the outer shell, wherein
the spool fits snuggly into the outer shell to allow the spool to
rotate therein.
To wrap up and store the power cord the user aligns the first entry
hole 4 with the second entry hole 5. The power cord is looped in
half and then the loop is inserted into both holes.
While holding the outer shell in place; the user manually winds the
inner spool to retract the power supply cord into the track 10 of
the device and to desired length.
In embodiments where the device further includes an arbor with
openings for a plug; the user can take the further step of plugging
the power supply cord plug into the openings for easy storing.
To unwind the power cord, the user again holds the outer shell in
place and pulls the cord together to unwind to desired length or to
remove completely.
In embodiments where the inner spool has three circular flanges, a
right flange, a left flange and a center flange, two tracks 10 are
created. The second entry hole 5 is on the center flange. In this
embodiment the further step of winding the inner spool to retract
each loop of the power supply cord separately into each of the two
tracks occurs.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the
drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not
limiting sense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a side profile of the components of
the invention device in the embodiment with three flanges, FIG. 1A
is the spool, FIG. 1B is the shell and FIG. 1C is the spool and
shell combined;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a the front profile of the components
of the invention device in the embodiment with three flanges, FIG.
2A is the spool, FIG. 2B is the shell and FIG. 2C is the spool and
shell combined with the power cord;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a the front profile of the components
of the invention device in the embodiment with two flanges, FIG. 3A
is the spool, FIG. 3B is the shell and FIG. 3C is the spool and
shell combined;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side profile of the components of
the invention device in the embodiment with two flanges, FIG. 4A is
the spool, FIG. 4B is the shell and FIG. 4C is the spool and shell
combined with the power cord;
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the shell component indicating the
arbor 7 and barrel 8 elements;
FIGS. 6 A, B, C and D, illustrate the steps involved in using the
invention device to store a power supply cord;
FIG. 7 are illustrations with a mobile phone power supply cord,
FIG. 7A illustrates the device when cord is stored; FIG. 7B
illustrates the device in use; and FIG. 7C illustrates the prior
art without the use of the device; and
FIG. 8 are illustrations with an e-reader power supply cord, FIG.
8A illustrates the prior art without the use of the device; FIG. 8B
illustrates the device in use, and FIG. 8C illustrates the device
when stored.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a device that stores and
organizes a power supply cord for portable electronic devices is
provided.
As described in the accompanying drawings the structures of the
invention device are labeled as follows: 1--Outer shell 2--Spool
3--Tread 4--First entry hole 5--Second entry hole 6--Flange
7--Arbor 8--Barrel 9--Power Cord 10--Track
In general, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a side profile of the
components of the invention device in the embodiment with three
flanges. FIG. 1A illustrates a side profile of the spool 10, FIG.
1B is a side profile of the shell 1 and FIG. 1C is the spool 2 and
shell 1 combined. The spool fits snuggly into the outer shell such
that the spool stays in place but can still rotate therein.
The outer shell 1 has a first entry hole 4 and an inner spool 2
having three circular flanges 6. The flanges are all of equal size
and are also referred to herein as right, left and center.
The flanges are connected in the middle by a barrel 8. Two separate
tracks 10 are between the flanges and are used to store the power
cord. There is an arbor 7 at the top and bottom of the barrel and a
second entry hole 5 which is a notch in the center flange. There is
at least one tread 3 on the inner portion of the outer shell. This
enables the spool to fit snuggly into the shell and allows the
spool to rotate therein.
The top and bottom arbor 7 includes openings for the plug to rest,
and can be on one or both sides.
The components of the invention are preferably made of plastic, any
type of consumer plastic, rubber, wood, or metal, although the
device is not limited to these materials and other materials can be
used.
The circular flange has a diameter in the range of approximately
1.5 to 5.0 inches, with a preferred diameter of approximately 2.0
inches. The preferred thickness of the flanges, are in the range of
0.03 to 0.20 inches or most preferably between 0.06 to 0.1
inches.
The barrel of the device has a width in the range of 0.30 to 0.80
inches, most preferably between 0.50 to 060 inches. The barrel
interior can be hollow or solid, depending on the embodiment.
The outer shell has a diameter slightly larger than the circular
flanges to insure a snug fit. The outer shell diameter is
preferably between 0.04 and 0.08 inches larger than the circular
flange, most preferably 0.06 inches larger.
In the two flange embodiment, the track 10 width between the two
flanges is preferably in the range of 0.20 to 0.60 inches.
In the three flange embodiment, the track 10 width between the
three flanges is in the range of 0.15 to 0.25.
The outer shell can include additional treads 3 on the interior
edge surfaces, such that the outer shell screws into the inner
spool to help keep the inner spool in place while permitting it to
still rotate.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the front profile of the components of
the invention device in the embodiment with three flanges. FIG. 2A
illustrates a front profile of the spool 2. The second entry hole 5
which is a notch in the center flange is prominently displayed. The
two separate tracks 10 are illustrated and are of equal width.
FIG. 2B illustrates the outer shell 1 and the inner tread 3, as
well as the first opening hole 4.
FIG. 2C illustrates the spool 2 and shell 1 combined with the power
cord inserted into the first and second entry holes. The power cord
has not yet been wound up into the device.
FIG. 3 is front profile of the components of the invention device
in the embodiment with two flanges. FIG. 3A shows a frontal view of
the spool 1, wherein the second entry hole 5 is seen right on the
barrel 8. The two flanges 6 are of equal size and create one track
10 to wind and store the power cord. The arbor 7 is shown with
openings to place the plug of the power supply cord.
FIG. 3B shows a frontal view of the shell 1, with the first entry
hole 4 and tread 3 on both the top and bottom of the inner most
portion of the shell. These treads help keep the shell and spool
together, while still permitting the spool to rotate.
FIG. 3C is a frontal view of the spool 2 and shell 1 combined. The
second entry hole 5 is seen on the barrel 8 itself. The flanges 6
are of equal size and the arbor 7 includes an opening for the plug
of the power supply cord. Only one track 10 is formed for housing
the power supply cord.
As previously mentioned the three flanges is the preferred
embodiment. The three flanges--right, left and center--provide a
dual track for the cord storage. In the two flange embodiment only
a single track for the cord is provided. The second entry hole 5 is
an opening on the barrel itself. In this two flange embodiment the
interior of the barrel is preferably hollow.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side profile of the components of
the invention device in the embodiment with two flanges.
FIG. 4A illustrates the spool 2, and shows the second entry hole 5
on the barrel 8. The circular flanges 6 are of equal size. The
arbor 7 includes openings for the plug of the power supply
cord.
FIG. 4B illustrates the shell 1 and shows the first entry hole 3.
The tread 3 is also visible on the inner portion of the shell. FIG.
4C shows the combination of the spool 2 and shell 1 combined with
the power cord 9.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the shell component illustrating the
arbor 7 and barrel 8 elements.
The invention also provides a method for storing and organizing a
power supply cord for portable electronic devices. The method
includes the steps of providing a device that has an outer shell 1
having a first entry hole 4; and an inner spool 2 having at least
two circular flanges 6 connected in the middle by a barrel 8; a
track 10 between the flanges; an arbor 7 on the top side and bottom
side of the barrel; a second entry hole 5 within the device; and at
least one tread 3 on the inner portion of the outer shell, wherein
the spool fits snuggly into the outer shell to allow the spool to
rotate therein.
FIGS. 6 A, B, C and D, illustrate the steps involved in using the
invention device to store a power supply cord.
In FIG. 6A, the openings are aligned to expose the track.
Specifically, to wrap up and store the power cord the user aligns
the first entry hole 4 with the second entry hole 5. In FIG. 6B,
the power cord is looped in half and then the loop is inserted into
both holes of the invention device.
In FIG. 6C, while holding the outer shell in place, the user
manually winds the inner spool to retract the power supply cord
into the track of the device and to a desired length.
In embodiments where the device further includes an arbor with
openings for a plug; the user can take the further step of plugging
the power supply cord plug into the openings for easy storing.
FIG. 6D illustrates how to unwind the power cord from the invention
device. To unwind the power cord, the user again holds the outer
shell in place and pulls the cord together to unwind to desired
length or to remove completely.
In embodiments where the inner spool has three circular flanges, a
right flange, a left flange and a center flange, two tracks 10 are
created. The second entry hole 5 is on the center flange. In this
embodiment the further step of winding the inner spool to retract
each loop of the power supply cord separately into each of the two
tracks occurs.
FIG. 7 are illustrations with a mobile phone power supply cord.
FIG. 7A illustrates the device when stored and shows the power cord
plug plugged into the arbor of the invention. FIG. 7B illustrates
the device in use and FIG. 7C illustrates the prior art usage
without the device. The advantage of the invention is clearly seen
from the comparison between FIGS. 7A and 7B and the prior art in
FIG. 7B. The clumsy manner in which the power cord is connected to
the mobile device is an accident waiting to happen.
FIG. 8 are illustrations with an e-reader power supply cord. FIG.
8A illustrates the prior art usage without the device; FIG. 8B
illustrates the device in use and FIG. 8C illustrates the device
when stored. The advantage of the invention is clearly seen from
the comparison between FIGS. 8B and 8C and the prior art in FIG.
8A. The power supply cord in FIG. 8A is curled and tangled, whereas
in FIG. 8B the power supply to the e-reader is neatly stored within
the invention device while it is being charged. FIG. 8C illustrates
the neat compact storage of the power supply cord once it has been
unplugged from the e-reader. The invention device helps prevent
damage to the power supply cord by keeping it from getting snagged
or broken.
The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of
the present invention has been provided for purposes of
illustration only, and it is understood that numerous
modifications, variations and alterations may be made without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth
in the following claims.
* * * * *